Scituate Massachusetts
Harbour Lights #483 Open Edition

In the late 18th century, Scituate, with boundless schools of mackerel off its coast, developed a significant fishing industry. The small, yet protected harbor was sheltered south by Cedar Point and to the north by First Cliff. Mud flats and shallow water made entrance to the harbor difficult.

After a three-year debate, the United States Congress appropriated $4,000 for the construction of a lighthouse at Scituate Harbor, in 1810. Built at the harbor’s entrance at Cedar Point, the light had a 25’ tower of split granite rock with a one and one half story Keeper’s dwelling attached. On September 19, 1811, the eleventh lighthouse in the United States was completed, two months ahead of schedule, however the light was not exhibited until April 1812.It seems the Boston Marine Society expressed concern about the characteristics of the light and asked the local lighthouse superintendent to delay putting the light into service until the next year. After discussions, the Boston Marine Society recommended an eclipser be installed to create a flashing light. The Lighthouse board had another idea and a fixed white light was exhibited.

While this light has a colorful history, it is the actions of two young women, Abigail (17) and Rebecca (21) Bates, the daughters of Captain Simeon Bates, the first Keeper of the Scituate light. The “Army of Two” observed a British war ship anchored in the harbor. Fearing an invasion, the two young women snatched a fife and drum and made so much noise while hiding behind some trees, the British thought the town militia was approaching and made a hasty retreat.

In 1827, a 15’ brick extension was added to the tower to answer the complaints from mariners that the light could not be seen far enough away to make proper navigational adjustments. In 1841, Winslow Lewis was hired to install a new lighting apparatus and lantern; mariners had difficulty distinguishing the Scituate Light from the Boston Harbor Light, the result was multiple crashes into the offshore ledges.

Time and the harsh New England weather caused the light to begin to decay; the Lighthouse Board made some minor repairs but their focus was on the first Minot’s Ledge Light that was first exhibited on January 1, 1850, while Scituate Light remained in operation; its characteristic was a fixed red light. On April 16, 1851, Minot’s Ledge was destroyed by a storm and the Scituate Light regained some importance.

Despite that a new Fresnel lens was installed in 1855, the

Scituate Light was darkened on November 15, 1860, when the second Minot’s Ledge light was lit.

In 1968, the Scituate historical society was awarded custody of the light. The nation’s eleventh lighthouse was relit, in August 1994, as a private aid to navigation. Its white light can be seen for 4 miles.